By Samantha Simmons, MS Why Choking Awareness Matters Mealtimes and playtime are essential parts of childhood, offering opportunities for growth, learning, and connection. However, they can also present serious safety risks for infants and young children. Choking is one of the leading causes of injury-related emergencies in children under the age of four. Raising awareness about choking hazards, both food-related and non-food-related, helps parents and caregivers recognize risks, take...

By Samantha Simmons The Awareness Gap   For many people, cervical cancer is not something they think about until it directly affects them or someone they love. Because it often develops silently, without obvious symptoms in its early stages, cervical cancer can go unnoticed for years. Yet it is one of the most preventable cancers when awareness, screening, and prevention tools are used. Raising awareness is essential to protecting health, saving lives, and empowering individuals to act before...

By Samantha Simmons and Christina Musumeci For many, the holiday season brings warmth, celebration, and connection. But for others, this time of year can intensify feelings of stress, loneliness, or grief. Here in Burke County, where mental health challenges affect individuals and families from all walks of life, it’s important to remember that the holidays don’t look or feel the same for everyone, and that’s okay. Why the Holidays Can Be Difficult Even though the season is often associated...